March Madness Giveaway winnings!

Yesterday after returning home from my daughter's piano lessons this is what awaited us at the front door! I couldn't believe everything came at once! My daughter said it was like Christmas. The only difference being that its all for you, Mom! LOL! I had ordered some books and fabric recently. But, The biggest box was a Huge Surprise!!!! Back on February 19th I had visited Elaine (Faithful Quilter: Elaine's Journey) to thank her for visiting my blog and made the general comment that she seemed to have some similar interests. I wasn't actually entering the giveaway she was having.
But, apparently I was added to the list of entrants!! :0) (Thank-you Elaine!) It was a March Madness Giveaway!! On March 15th I found out that I had won. My husband said, "I think you won something!" I said "No it must be Junk mail, but leave it and I will look later when you are done on the computer." I am soooo happy that I didn't have him delete the message!!
Look at this lovely array of packages that were in the surprise box! Surprise box, because Elaine never said what she was giving away!! They are all so wonderfully wrapped!! I didn't want to open them.... Yes I did!!! :0)
WOW WE!!!!! This is what Elaine sent me!! I wish I could give you a hug Elaine and Thank-you in person!!!!! I never expected such wonderful gifts!!! I love to read! I haven't read "Tumbling Blocks" yet but look forward to doing so! I had heard about the "Antique magazine but had not seen it out yet! I'm so excited!! Elaine, how can I thank-you!! A puzzle with sunflowers on it! When my daughter saw that she said, "Mom, you love puzzles and sunflowers! How cool!" A bottle of "Sew Soft" moisturizing lotion, a needle threader, thread conditioner, needles, a pattern, 5" block sampler of fabrics from "Summer's Basket of Flowers" (beautiful), specialty chocolates (which I made quite clear, my daughter was not to touch!! LOL), and a French General sewing kit!. Elaine!! You over did yourself!! I love, love love everything!!!! Thank-you ever so much!!!!!!! :0)

Table Runner

Here is the table runner I made as a house warming gift. It was quick and easy. I let the fabric do the work since I was short on time to get it finished before we went to our friends new home. She seemed very pleased with it. :0)
Here is a close up of how I machine quilted this one.
And here is the back.
This is what we had for dinner. Chicken Bryan. It was very good. (See the table cloth and the colors in it? I think I matched the table runner fabric fairly well to what she has going on in her home! Hooray!)
Surprise!! This beauty is two hexagon blocks hand pieced by a special friend of mine! She said she was really enjoying the part of picking out fabrics for it. :0)

House warming gift

My husband and I have been invited to dinner this Sunday. Some friends of ours have recently moved into a new home and we are to be their first dinner guests. I wanted to bring something special with me as a house warming gift. I cut the fabrics out this morning for a table runner that I hope to have finished before we go. Because I'm short on time, I choose a simple pattern that can be done on the machine but still look good. My husband and I have been helping them paint and move in. Which was helpful for knowing what color choices to pick for the table runner. Best of all I went shopping for the fabric in my very own stash!!! I had everything I will need for this particular project! :0)

Teaching

I've been asked by my local quilt shop to teach "Hand piecing" as well as "Hand Quilting"! I was very surprised!! I have never taught a quilting class before! After giving it some thought I decided to do it. If I can teach my daughters I can teach others! Nothing ventured nothing gained. :0) Here is a sneak peek of my class sample. It's not very big at all. This is a beginner class so I don't want to over whelm my students. I almost have it finished. It will be displayed at the quilt shop as the class sample. The shop owner wanted me to use her fabrics for the class. A kit will be offered for the class using these same fabrics. I'm getting excited, and looking forward to this new adventure! :0)

Raspberry Coffee Cake!

My daughter is home from college this week on her Spring Break. I've been trying to spend as much time with her as I can before she goes back to school. One of her favorite breakfast treats is this Raspberry coffee cake which I made this morning! I have added the glaze to it today but it is very good without the glaze also! I will share the recipe with you. (Kim B., I think this might be an excellent recipe for you! :0) )
Here it is before I put the glaze on. This is a low calorie and low fat recipe!

Raspberry Coffee Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 cup unsweetened raspberries (I have only used fresh but you can use frozen; if using frozen do not thaw)

1 Tbsp. sliced almonds

Glaze

1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

1 tsp nonfat milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

2. Combine the egg, yogurt, butter, and vanilla; add this to your dry ingredients just until moistened.

3. Spoon two-thirds of the batter into an 8 inch round baking pan ( a pie or cake pan works great for this) coated with a non-stick cooking spray ( or crisco if you don't have spray).

4. Combine the brown sugar and the raspberries; sprinkle over batter.

5. Spoon the remaining batter over the top.. (It won't cover completely, which is OK).

6. Sprinkle with almonds.

7. Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched and is golden brown.

8. Cool for 10 minutes before removing cake from the pan to a wire rack. ( I usually keep mine in the pan )

9. In a small bowl, combine the glaze ingredients.

10. Drizzle over the coffee cake.

11. Serve warm or at room temperature.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does! :0)